Distance-finder.



J. M. WASHTSUEN.

DISTANCE nun-5R. APPLICATION FILED 1 .56.23, 1911. j49335-$ Pa'entefii July 30,1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

J.[M. WASHBURN.

DTSTANOE FINDERx APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23,

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Imeniarv wrrm/y ak J. MnWASHBURN.

DISTANCE FINDER. APPLICATION FIL ED AUG. 23, 1911. Lfififi fififi Patented July 30, 191,21

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mea fiarrgyWe/wnz mains MURRAY wasnnuien, or enroeeo, rumor Dismisses-FINDER.

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' State of Illinois,- have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Distance-Finders, of

which the following is a specification.

it is the objectof the present invention to provide means for determining the dos tance to an ob ect without the necessity for mathematical calculations of any kind; to

providea distance finder which is compact and portable instructorsand adapted for determining the distance of objects within the range ofan ordinary camera.

According to one modification hereinafter disclosed, the distance finder is attached to a hand-camera and is adapted to fold down into that camera as an integral part thereof; while in another modification hereinafter disclosed, the distance finder is unconnected with a camera structure and may be used for purposes quite independent of the art of photography. I

In gen'eraltthe distance finder of the presentinvention comprises. a bar carrying a light-deflectingde *ice at one end and a scale to the object.

of distance-unite at the other end The de vice is also provided with means whereby this bar may be brought into position at a definite or fixed distance from the eye of theobserver andwhereby the bar may there-be held at a definite angle with respect to the line of sight over the calibrated end of the bar.

'In the modifications shown in the drawing, themeans for locating the proper posi-- tion of the bar with respect to the eye of the observer includes a flexible cord one end of which can be held near the observers eye and the other end of which terminates in a mirror wherein the observcrseye is reflected when the bar is at its proper angular posi-' tion with respect tothe direct line of sight In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a distance finder attached to the topof a hand-camera; Fi 2 is a persp ctive view of the finder illustrating in dotted linesthe folding character of the sight bar; Fig. 3 is a detail of the flexible cord and its coiiperating mirror; Fig. 4 is a rear View ofthe finder when unfolded for use; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of'the finder I Specification or Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1912.

Application filed August 23, 1911. Serial No. 645,685.

with the reflecting prism shown in section; Big. 6 is a section through. the top of a camera box, showing the finder folded down when not in use; Fig 7 shows the finder erect above a camera box Fig. 8 1s a dim g am illustrating the use of two mirrors as the means for deflecting light to the eye of the observer; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modification independent of a camera structure and adapted for support directly in the hand of the operator; Fig. 10 is rear 'view of this modification; and Figs.

11 and 12 are perspective views, respectively, of the front and back structure shown in Fig. 9 when that structure is folded up and H013 n use.

' In the construction shown-in Figs. 1 to '1' inclusive, the distance ,finder comprises a sight bar 1 hinged to a receiving box 2 and provided with an extension 3, calibratedand marked off to indicate distances in feet or other suitable units- The extension 3 is connected to the main portion 1 of the sight bar by a rule joint 4 about which the extension may be folded over into position above the portion 1; so that the entire sight. bar and its adjuncts can then be folded down lnto the receiving box 2, which preferably Across the. face of this prism at its middle,

is a vertical hair line or sight line 7. Below prism 5'and mounted in box 6, is a plane mirror 8 arranged parallel to the sight bar and provided at its middle with a vertical sight line 9. Immediately below the sightline9, there is attached a; flexible cord 10 carrying at its other end a suitable handle 11 preferably shaped to serve as a winding reel for the cord.

1 When innse, the camera and its sup-- is countersunk into the top of the camera ported distance finder are held'in the hand T f of the'operato'r at a distance from the e j. of the operator equal to .thelength of fiexrble cord 10, and the camera is then twisted about a vertical axis until the eye of the observer appears reflected at the center of mirror 8, while at, the same time the opera:

tor sees at thecenter of prism 5 the object to which the d stance 18 to be measured. "ft

is then only necessary for the operator to is preferably calibrated to-read directly in:

feet, the distance from the camera lens to camera to the object, the observer adjusts .the bellows of the camera to the proper positionfor a true focus on the object.

To closethe finder for storage in'the top ofthe camera, the cord 10 is Wound on the reel or finger-piece 11' and placed in tfie receiving boxer trayQ, the extension 3 'is' folded over against the hinged portion 1 and with its end securely held an an angula r projection 12 at the back of box 6 and then the entire sight bar, including the' prism and mirror, are foldeddown into the box or tray 2, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

tication wherein the light-deflecting means,

instead of being a prism, consists of two" reflecting mirrors 13and let, setat such angles with respect to one another and tn the eye of the operator that lightcoming fromthe distant object is deflected to. the same degree as though it passed through the prism of Fig 2. While various kinds of v deflecting prisms may be used in the structhat a thirty degree prism is admirably adapted for the purpose.-

The modification illustrated in Figs. 9

to 11, inclusive, comprises a bar 14 having brated scale, there being a rule joint 16 between these two portions of the sight bar.

its lower portion shaped to form a cylin- .dricai chamber wherein a spring roller or reel may be mounted to take up auton-iati-- cally the-slack in the flexible cord 19'. This housing may also have a circular recess 20. for the reception of a -circu'la'r thumb-piece. 21, attached to the cord. A mirror 212and.

aprism 23 are mounted in a box above this housing and serve' the same functions as. those. previously described; The entire structure can be operated much like that of Fig. 2,.bi1t need have no connectionjwith a camera and can be calibrated, to measure distances'from the observers eye instead of from a camera lens. I

.VVhen the structure is to, be folded up, the sight bar is swung about its pivotal mounting18,-as indicated by the arrow in Fig; 10, and then folded over, as shown in Figs. 11311.41 12, Withits calibrated end.

fitting over the prism and mirror and hold- -.claims made. thereon. the object. Knowing the distance from the Fig.8indicates diagrannnatically a mOdi-filight-defieeting device at the other end, a

ture illustrated by. Fig 2, I have found means for indicating to the? a hinged extension 15 carrying the calito representthedistance of:

'leading from said bar to .fix th ing the thumb-piece 21 in its socket 20. A spring catch 24 may be provided to hold the barin its folded position.

It is obvious that the basic idea of my inti n ylbe structurally embodied in .other forms than that herein shown and described, and I donot, therefore, Wish'to be limited to the construction hereinset forth, except as may be indicated by the What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the'United States is .1.-A distance finder comprising abar having a scalejo'f distance unitsat one end,

a light-deflecting deviceat the other end of -3 said bar, means for fixing the distance at which the finder is held from the ..eye of the observer, and means f'o'r indicating to the observer that the bar is held at such angle to the lineof sight that the-distance to an object may be read directly from the distance scale of'the bar'.

' 2. A distance finder comprising a bar having a scale of units'atione end and a cord of predetermined lengthleading from said bar to fix the distance at which the finder isheld from the.eye,-and means for indicating'to the observer when the bar is in proper angular position for the reading of distances on the bar.

3. A distaiice finder comprising asight bar carrying a calibrated scale over which 'an observer may sight directly at,antobject,

said bar carrying at a point remote: from said scale a light-deflecting 1m through which the observer m'ay see't ct, and 'eive'r. the correct distanoe; of said scale fr um 0bserverseye and" the correct angii r' position of said scale with respect to the -line of sight. 1 c 4. A distance finder comprising in combi: nation agsight bar, means for'indicatingto the observer the proper distance at which said bar is tobe held from the eye of the 'r "angular position the-line of sight t .ligntobserver and the 'pre having a scaleof distance nin v r In the observer, a prism at the; othdrflend "off the bar, a cord of predeterminedlength. e distanceat' Which the instrument; is held from. the eye of the observer, and means for indicating to the observerthat the bar is held at right 1 is in use. i

6. A distance finder comprising a bar having a scale of distance units at one end to represent the distance of an object from the observer, a prism at the other end of the bar, a mirror attached to said bar, and a cord of predetermined length leading from said bar at a point in alinement with said mirror to fix the distance at which the instrument is to be held from the eye,

7 A distance finder comprising a bar having a frame at one end and a scale of distance units at the other end to represent the distance of an object from the observer, a prism and a mirror secured in said frame in vertical alinement with each other,'and a cord ot-predetermined length leading from said bar at a point in vertical alinement angles to the taut cord when the instrument with said mirror and prism to fix the distance at which the instrument is to be held from the eye.

8. A distance finder comprising in combination a prism, a scale of distance units to represent the distance of an object from the observers eye, and means for indicating to the observer, when the instrument is in use, that the same is being held at right-- angles to a line of sight between the eye and the instrument.

9. A distance finder comprising in combination a light deflecting device and a scale of distance units to represent the-distance of an object from the observers eye, and a.1nirror for indicating to'the observer, when the instrument is in use, that the same is being held at right angles to a line of sight between the eye and the instrument.

10. A distance finder comprising in conibination a sight bar, extensible means for indicating to the observer the proper distance at which said'bar is to be held from the eye oi": the observer, means for insuring proper angular relation of the bar with respeet to the line of sight from the observers eye to an object, light deflecting means asso-, ciated with said bar for bringing to the eye of the observer deflected light from said object, and a. scale for measuring along said bar the distance between thedirectline of sight to the object and 'the path of said deflected light'froni the object.

11. A distance finder comprising a bar having a scale of distance units 'to represent the distance of an object from the observer, a prism at one end of said bar, means for fixing the distance at which the instrument is to be held from the eye of the observer when a reading is to be made, and'a mirror for indicating to the observer that the bar is held at right angles to a line of sight from the eye to the bar. I

12. A distance finder comprising a bar having a scale of distance units at one end to representthe distance of an object from the observer, a prism at one end of said bar, extensible means of predetermined length secured to said barto fix the distance at which the instrument is held from the eye of the observer, and means for insuring proper angular relation between said bar and a line of sight to the bar when the instrument is in use.

13. In combination, a receiving box, a dist anee finder attached 'to said box and adapted to fold therein, said finder comprising a bar hinged along one edge of said-box so as to lie flat within the same or be folded upward, said bar being extensible, a prism at one end of said bar, a mirror attached to said bar, a scale of distance units on a section of said bar to represent the distance of an object from the observer, and means for fixing the distance at which the instrument is to be held from the eye of the observerwhen a reading is being made.

14;. A distance finder comprising a bar consisting of two sections pivoted together so as to fold one over the other or be extended into alinement with each other, the first section being provided with a frame at. its outer end, a prism and a mirror secured in said frame in. vertical alinement with each other, a scale of distance units on the second section to represent the distance of an object from the observer, and extensible means of predeterminedlength leading from the finder to fix the distance at which the bar. is to be held from the eye. I

15. A distance finder including a prism, a bar having a scale of distance units to represent the distance of an object-from the observers eye, means for fixing the distance at which the instrument is to be held from the eye of the observer-and for insuring proper angular relation of said bar to a line of sight from the observerls eye, and' a receptacle hinged to said bar and into which said bar may be folded when not in use.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 21st day of August, A. '1). 1911.

JAMES MURRAY VVASl-IBURN.

Witnesses:

CAROLYN VEBER, ABBA B. MARVIN. 

